Mahmoud El Moussaoui, piano (International Francophonie Day)

As part of the Francophonie Month, the Embassy of the Kingdom of Morocco is pleased to invite you to a concert by the young Moroccan pianist, rising star of classical music, Mr. Mahmoud El Moussaoui. Among the numerous awards he has won, the first prize at the HRH Princess Lalla Meryem International Piano Competition in 2018, the first prize at the Yamaha International Piano Competition in Dubai, and the Grand Prize at the Les Saisons Russes Festival in Casablanca stand out.

Program:
Johann Sebastian Bach
Prelude and Fugue No. 15 in G major, BWV 860

Domenico Scarlatti
Keyboard Sonata in E major, K. 135

Franz Joseph Haydn
Keyboard Sonata in E minor, H. 16/34
Presto
Adagio
Finale – Molto vivace

Claude Debussy
Nocturne, L. 82

Robert Schumann
Faschingsschwank aus Wien (“Phantasiebilder”), Op. 26
Allegro – Sehr lebhaft
Romanze – Ziemlich langsam
Scherzino
Intermezzo – Mit grosster Energie
Finale – Hochst lebhaft

Sergey Prokofiev
Presto energico in C minor from Etudes for piano, Op. 2

Biography:
Morocco is full of artistic talents in various fields, and Mahmoud El Moussaoui is one of them. At just twenty-five years old, he is one of the country’s most prominent representatives on the international classical music scene. Born in July 1999 in Kenitra, Mahmoud began his piano studies at the regional conservatory of his hometown at the age of nine. A few years later, he benefited from the teaching of Reda Bennani, Dina Bensaid, and Nicole Salmon. He is currently mentored by Wilhem Latchoumia and Alain Acabo at the Haute École des Arts du Rhin, after earning his DEM from the Strasbourg Conservatory with unanimous distinction and jury congratulations.
Despite his young age, Mahmoud has already won several prestigious awards. He was the first prize winner of the HRH Princess Lalla Meryem International Piano Competition in 2014 and 2016, with two special mentions. In 2018, he won second prize and the award for Best Moroccan Talent from the Portuguese Embassy. In 2015, at just 15 years old, he received the first piano prize from the Ministry of Culture with high honors. He also obtained, with great distinction, the advanced training prize and the honorary prize from the National Conservatory of Music and Choreographic Arts of Morocco. In 2018, Mahmoud won the Grand Prize of the first edition of the “Russian Seasons” festival in Casablanca.
In 2019, he won the Yamaha Music Gulf Scholarship Program in Dubai (UAE) and got the third place at the 8th Classical Young Musicians Competition of the Arab World in Baku, Azerbaijan.
Music lovers have had the opportunity to witness his musical talent in Morocco, Germany, France, the UAE, Azerbaijan, and Tunisia. His extensive repertoire spans from the 17th to the 21st century, and he plays the music of Beethoven, Debussy, and Schumann with great passion.
Dedicated to refining his musical sensitivity, he has attended masterclasses with world-renowned professors such as François-Frédéric Guy, Marie-Josèphe Jude, Françoise Thinat, Aleksey Sokolov, Anne-Lise Gastaldi, Jacqueline Bourgès-Maunoury, Fabrizio Chiovetta, Laurent Cabasso and Christine Fonlupt. He has also had the opportunity to collaborate with several conductors, including Marko Letonja and Theodor Guschlbauer.
Alongside his career as a pianist, Mahmoud is also a State Engineer in Fisheries and Aquaculture and holds a Master’s degree in Management and Business Administration from EM Strasbourg Business School.
“A rising star of classical music” – Le Matin.ma
“A talent that has led him to travel the world” – 2M
“The beginning of a rising star”, WeLoveBuzz
“A highly talented young musician” – Libération
“His motto? Living his passion to the fullest and working hard to succeed” – L’Opinion
“His sensitivity and elegance give a special brilliance to his talent” – Octobre Musical de Carthag
“Perfect, promising, and talented young pianist” – Aleksey Sokolov